Hello

So... Can We Really Do This?

Hermione landed just outside of the ruins of the cottage in Godric’s Hollow, mentally cursing Ron’s idea.

“There is no way that Molly is going to let Ginny, George, and Harry out of her sights long enough for them to come back in time with me,” she grumbled, turning on the spot to Apparate to Hogwarts. She landed on the soft ground in front of the gates. “I’ll probably have better luck if I bring Professor McGonagall with me when I get everyone else.”

She nonverbally sent a Patronus to the castle, requesting a teacher to come and open the gates for her. Even though the war was over, security was still tight at Hogwarts. Not that she blamed McGonagall at all. Everything that had happened during the War, everything that Hogwarts went through… it was a miracle that Hogwarts was even open this year.

Hermione was so wrapped up in her thoughts about the War that she didn’t notice the bobbing of the lantern coming down the path. Until she heard him, of course.

“Oh ho!” the booming voice of Horace Slughorn rang out. “Miss Granger, I would have thought that you and young Mr. Weasley would have been on vacation by now!”

“Why would you assume that, Professor?” said Hermione, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

“I thought that you two would have been engaged by now!” he exclaimed. “Anyone who saw you while rebuilding the castle would claim the same thing!”

“Professor!” Hermione exclaimed, a bright red blush crossing over her cheeks. “I highly doubt that is an appropriate subject!”

“Quite right, Miss Granger,” Slughorn said with a small smile. “Now, what can I do for you this evening?”

“I actually meant for Professor McGonagall to get my message,” said Hermione sheepishly. “It’s kind of urgent that I speak with her, actually.”

“Of course, m’dear!” said Slughorn, unfazed. He gestured her to follow him and began to trek back up to the castle.

“Why didn’t she answer my Patronus, sir?” Hermione asked.

“Minerva was dealing with Peeves trying to break into the Head Office so I took the message,” Slughorn explained lightly.

“Of course,” she said quietly, looking at the ground.

The rest of the trip was in silence, which Hermione was extremely grateful for. It gave her time to think over what she was going to say to her favorite professor that will convince her to come back into the past.

“Here we are, m’dear!” Slughorn announced flamboyantly. “Ginger Newts.”

“Thank you Professor,” she said politely, entering the staircase to McGonagall’s living quarters.

Hermione knocked timidly on the door to the office, asking for entry.

“Come in, dear,” said McGonagall politely. “What can I do for you this afternoon?”

“Professor, do you remember when we were messing with my Time Turner to see if it could go further back in time than a few hours?” Hermione asked, somewhat frantic.

“Yes, I do,” said McGonagall, looking suspicious. “How far did you get it to go back, Miss Granger?”

“To save the Potters,” said Hermione in a whisper.

“Hermione! You can’t be serious!” McGonagall said.

“No, Sirius is back in time hanging out with Ron and a few other choice people,” Hermione joked, hoping to make light of the situation.